# The Contributor License Agreement

The [Cloud Native Computing Foundation](https://www.cncf.io/community) defines
the legal status of the contributed code in two different types of _Contributor License Agreements_
(CLAs), [individual contributors](https://github.com/cncf/cla/blob/master/individual-cla.pdf) and [corporations](https://github.com/cncf/cla/blob/master/corporate-cla.pdf).

Kubernetes can only accept original source code from CLA signatories.

This policy does not apply to [third_party](https://git.k8s.io/kubernetes/third_party)
and [vendor](https://git.k8s.io/kubernetes/vendor).

It is important to read and understand this legal agreement.

## How do I sign?

#### 1. Log in to the Linux Foundation ID Portal with Github

Click one of:
  * [Individual signup](https://identity.linuxfoundation.org/projects/cncf) to
  sign up as an individual or as an employee of a signed organization.
  * [Corporation signup](https://identity.linuxfoundation.org/node/285/organization-signup)
  to sign as a corporation representative and manage signups from your organization.

Once you get to the sign in form, click "Log in with Github":

![CNCFCLA1](http://i.imgur.com/tEk2x3j.png)

#### 2. Create Linux Foundation ID Portal account with correct e-mail address

Ensure that the e-mail address you use when completing this form matches the one
you will use for your commits.

If you are signing up as an employee, you must use your official
person@organization.domain email address in the CNCF account registration page.

![CNCFCLA2](http://i.imgur.com/t3WAtrz.png)

#### 3. Complete signing process

After creating your account, follow the instructions to complete the
signing process through HelloSign.

If you did not receive an email from HelloSign, [then request it here](https://identity.linuxfoundation.org/projects/cncf).

#### 4. Ensure your Github e-mail address matches address used to sign CLA

Your Github email address __must match__ the same address you use when signing
the CLA. Github has [documentation](https://help.github.com/articles/setting-your-commit-email-address-on-github/)
on setting email addresses.

You must also set your [git e-mail](https://help.github.com/articles/setting-your-email-in-git)
to match this e-mail address as well.

If you already submitted a PR you can correct your user.name and user.email
and then use `git commit --amend --reset-author` and then `git push --force` to
correct the PR.

#### 5. Look for an email indicating successful signup.

> The Linux Foundation
>
> Hello,
>
> You have signed CNCF Individual Contributor License Agreement.
> You can see your document anytime by clicking View on HelloSign.
>

Once you have this, the CLA authorizer bot will authorize your PRs.

![CNCFCLA3](http://i.imgur.com/C5ZsNN6.png)

## Troubleshooting

If you have problems signing the CLA, send an email message to: `helpdesk@rt.linuxfoundation.org`.

Someone from the CNCF will respond to your ticket to help.

## Setting up the CNCF CLA check

If you are a Kubernetes GitHub organization or repo owner and would like to setup
the Linux Foundation CNCF CLA check for your repositories, [read the docs on setting up the CNCF CLA check](/github-management/setting-up-cla-check.md)